Bridgestone Corp, the world’s largest rubber and tire maker, announced December 19 that it developed a super large-sized base isolator to secure the anti-quake effect for super high rises as tall as 150m. Taking advantages of a newly-developed flow analysis program and its cutting-edge manufacturing technology, the company succeed in maximizing the diameter to 1,800mm and load capacity to hold 3,800 tons. With an enhanced load capacity, the isolators enabled flexible structural designs for 40 story-class buildings. The products are set out on market in January 2015. (2014/12/19)